Bubble tea is a popular drink at many restaurants, but it can be difficult to find the perfect bubble tea topping. Crystal boba and white agar pearls are both great options for topping your favorite drink!
What are Boba or Tapioca Pearls?
Boba or tapioca pearls are small, round balls made from tapioca starch. They are commonly used in bubble tea, a popular Taiwanese drink made with tea, milk, and chewy tapioca pearls.
Tapioca pearls are made by mixing tapioca starch with hot water and kneading it into a dough. The dough is then formed into small balls and cooked until they are chewy and translucent.
Boba or tapioca pearls can found in many Asian markets or online. They come in different sizes, but the most common size is about 1/2 inch (1 cm) in diameter.
To prepare boba or tapioca pearls for bubble tea, cook them according to the package directions. Then add them to your favorite bubble tea recipe.
What are Crystal or White Agar Pearls?
Crystal boba or white agar pearls are a type of tapioca pearl that is made from white agar powder and tapioca starch. The white agar powder is what gives the pearls their distinctive white color.
Crystal boba pearls are generally larger in size than regular tapioca pearls, and they have a chewier texture. They are also less sweet than regular tapioca pearls.
White agar pearls are made with a different type of agar powder. Which gives them a slightly different flavor and texture. These pearls are also typically smaller in size than crystal boba pearls.
What is Bubble Tea?
Bubble tea is a Taiwanese tea-based drink that has become popular in many parts of the world. It typically consists of black tea, milk, and tapioca pearls, but can also made with green tea or fruit-flavored teas.
The tapioca pearls are what give bubble tea its signature chewy texture. They are made from cassava root starch and are typically cooked in sugar syrup before being added to the drink.
There are two main types of tapioca pearls: crystal boba and white agar pearls. Crystal boba are clear and have a more jelly-like texture, while white agar pearls are opaque and have a firmer texture.
So, which one is right for your bubble tea? It really depends on your personal preference. If you like a chewier texture, then crystal boba might be right for you. If you prefer a firmer texture, then white agar pearls might be more your style. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide!
Tips on Making Bubble Tea
When it comes to making bubble tea, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First, you need to decide what kind of tea you want to use. There are many different kinds of tea available, so make sure you choose one that you like the taste of. Second, you need to choose the right kind of bubbles for your tea. There are two main types of bubbles: Crystal boba and white agar pearls. Each type has its own unique flavor, so make sure you choose the one that best suits your taste.
Third, you need to determine how much sugar you want in your tea. Bubble tea is traditionally quite sweet, so if you don’t want it to be too sweet, you may want to cut back on the sugar. Fourth, you need to choose the right kind of milk for your tea. Whole milk will make your tea richer and creamier, while skim milk will make it lighter and more refreshing. Fifth, you need to brew your tea at the right temperature. If it’s too hot, your tea will be bitter; if it’s too cold, it won’t have enough flavor.
Finally, once you’ve brewed your perfect cup of bubble tea, don’t forget to add the bubbles! Boba are typically added after the tea has brewed and cooled slightly. so they don’t get overly cooked. If you’re using white agar pearls, however, they can added directly to the hot tea
Recipes for Homemade Bubble Tea
There are a few key ingredients you’ll need to make bubble tea at home: iced tea, tapioca pearls (also called boba), milk or cream, and sugar. You can find tapioca pearls and bubble tea kits with all the supplies you need online or at some Asian markets.
Brew a pot of your favorite iced tea. Once it’s brewed, add sugar to taste. Pour the sweetened tea into a large pitcher or jar.
Cook the tapioca pearls according to package instructions. Once they’re cooked add them to the sweetened tea. Let the mixture sit for about 30 minutes so the flavors can meld together.
To serve, fill glasses with ice and add bubble tea. Top with whipped cream or milk, if desired. Serve with long straws so you can slurp up the tapioca pearls as you drink!